Paul had a real good understanding about who he was in Christ. He knew that first he was a bond slave to Christ. He knew he didn’t belong to himself after salvation. Today that’s not being taught enough of in church. We need to learn what Lordship salvation is all about. Today we have people being taught that you can accept Jesus as savior today and you can accept Him as Lord later. Jesus is Lord weather we accept Him or not.

Paul knew what it meant to operate in his gifts. Paul taught about all the gifts that are in operation in the church today. Romans 12 1Cor, 12 and Eph 4. Again another area of scripture that’s not being taught enough of, I can’t begin to think of all the Christians that I have spoken to that look at me as if I had two heads when I bring up gifts. All of us Christians have gifts, sure you may not have the gift of Apostle as Paul, but you have gifts that the Lord wants you to get in touch with and use for Glory. If you pray He’ll answer you and He’ll lead you into the area of your gifts.

All of us need to follow Paul’s example to work in separating our lives to the gospel of God. He’s also the one who said in Rom 12 1:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God ” Paul had the perfect servant attitude. We should all see our selves as bond slaves to Christ, given certain gifts and separated from this world and what they say is important. to be used for His glory.

"As long as there are Flyways and their coming our way, you'll find us right here"

I would say you either accept Jesus Christ or you don't. If you do it will become natural for you to spread the news of his salvation. Everything happens for a reason and Paul was one that God picked to do His work. Moses didn't have talent and he even told God that. God works through you not the other way around.

870, I wholeheartedly agree with what you said about gifts. A lot of Christians tend to look at you sideways when you mention gifts (or talents, depending on translation). Our Pastor did a sermon or 2 recently on this. I think that people (myself included), don't look deep enough at themselves to find out what that gift(s) is(are). Also, we tend to let satan cast doubts into our minds as to whether or not we have and can use our gifts.

BTW, GREAT topic. The men's Bible study was going to Romans recently. I had to stop attending because I got a job working evenings and couldn't attend.

"for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power" Philippians 4:13

mixedbag916 wrote:870, I wholeheartedly agree with what you said about gifts. A lot of Christians tend to look at you sideways when you mention gifts (or talents, depending on translation). Our Pastor did a sermon or 2 recently on this. I think that people (myself included), don't look deep enough at themselves to find out what that gift(s) is(are). Also, we tend to let satan cast doubts into our minds as to whether or not we have and can use our gifts.

BTW, GREAT topic. The men's Bible study was going to Romans recently. I had to stop attending because I got a job working evenings and couldn't attend.

Thanks bother. That’s just it, most Christians don’t even understand that God has given all of us gifts and those gifts are to used for His glory. All they have to do is a simple study on them and they would find out real fast that we all have been given at least one.

What I liked about this verse is, Paul’s humble view of himself. After all he was shown by Christ and the office he held he still saw himself as a bond slave. He held the same humble view of himself, as did Moses. It would be hard to convince me Moses didn’t have the gift of administration. To manage two million people for forty years,, he had to of had some administrative skills lol Just where is Roseville, sounds like Northern Cali to me? I use to live in So Cal in Chino Hills 30 miles east of LA

"As long as there are Flyways and their coming our way, you'll find us right here"

Roseville is just east/northeast of Sacramento. It's in a perfect location. 1.5 hours from beautiful Lake Tahoe to the east, and the ocean to the west. And 30 minutes from some AWESOME duck hunting. It's just unfortunate that we have all the delusional politicians nearby in Sac.

"for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power" Philippians 4:13

He was called allright- a lot of ministers these days talk about their "calling" into the ministry. It's something that you know you're supposed to do, but sometimes not sure why. The Holy Spirit calls all of us in one way or another, but it's more like a gentle nudge showing us where the right direction is. Unfortunately, we don't always listen, but that's a different topic for a different time.

If you look back at Acts chapter 9, we find Saul heading to Damascus to continue his persecution of christians. After being confronted by God himself on the road, Saul is blinded and told to go into the city and wait. God tells a local disciple, Ananias, to go find Saul and restore his sight. Here's two great examples of "callings" by God. Ananias is called by God to heal Saul, who is well known for his persecution of the church. This is completely backwards from what our logic says, but falls in line with Jesus' preachings (love your enemy...). When Ananias asks God for an explanation, God replies by saying "This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name..." What a powerful statement, especially about a man that has done nothing but harm the church!

This is where the application to our lives can be found- After all of this, Saul received his sight and was baptized! Not only had he accepted Jesus Christ into his life, Acts 9:20 says "At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the son of God!" Saul was well known for persecuting the Christians, and here he is publicly preaching Christ! Just imagine the embarassment, the self consciousness, the insults that he faced to go and publicly preach in favor of his past enemies! But he did it- he had seen God and now knew the Truth. He was not ashamed to say that he had been wrong. He did not let his embarassment keep him quiet. Now knowing the truth, Saul went on to become one of the most zealous preachers of Christ in history. Have you heard the calling of God? It may not be as forceful as it was for Saul, but God still calls us today. What is God calling you to do, and what's keeping you from doing it?

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus"Philippians 3:14

Daen East wrote:"If you look back at Acts chapter 9, we find Saul heading to Damascus to continue his persecution of christians. After being confronted by God himself on the road, Saul is blinded and told to go into the city and wait. God tells a local disciple, Ananias, to go find Saul and restore his sight. Here's two great examples of "callings" by God. Ananias is called by God to heal Saul, who is well known for his persecution of the church. This is completely backwards from what our logic says, but falls in line with Jesus' preachings (love your enemy...). When Ananias asks God for an explanation, God replies by saying "This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name..." What a powerful statement, especially about a man that has done nothing but harm the church!

As the Pastor of our Church says, he was knocked off of his donkey, and onto his donkey. Something we all need from time to time. Especially me.

"for I can do everything God asks me to with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power" Philippians 4:13